The Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) recently completed its annual inspection of the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office detention facilities. TCJS was created by the Texas Legislature to implement a state policy that all county jail facilities conform to minimum standards of construction, maintenance and operation. TCJS establishes minimum standards, inspection procedures, and enforcement policies for the custody, care, and treatment of inmates as well as the regulation programs of rehabilitation, education, and recreation for inmates.

Both the Downtown Detention Facility and the Jail Annex passed all aspects of the inspections. Safety equipment was inspected, emergency drills were observed, and inmate files were reviewed. Inspectors went through booking, classification, releasing and health services records. They also reviewed discipline and grievance files along with visitation rules, religious practices policies, and correspondence policies. After the five-day inspection was complete, both facilities were found to be in compliance. The inspectors commented on the consistently compliant results of our inspections, noting that our facilities are among the best in the State. “The reason our facilities pass these rigorous inspections every year is due to the hard work and dedication of our detention officers and staff” said Sheriff Richard Wiles.